Arts funding review reveals shortfall in Derby and Nottingham
A recent study conducted by Data Culture Change has shed light on the disparities in arts funding distribution within the D2N2 region, which includes Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire.
The study was carried out independently and without external funding and revealed that residents of D2N2 have consistently received less than both national and local arts funding, compared to other regions and cities across England.
As the Mayoral Elections for the East Midlands Combined County Authority approach on May 2, 2024, Data Culture Change is calling on policymakers and stakeholders to prioritise equitable funding to support the role of the arts in the region.
In comparison with English regions, D2N2 has received substantially less lottery funding since 1995, resulting in a loss of over £21m.
Despite Arts Council England allocating £11.5m in revenue funding annually to 25 organisations in D2N2, this amounts to only £5.21 per person, lower than the English regional average of £6.14.
Additionally, the 19 local authorities in D2N2 collectively invest £8.3m annually in the arts, translating to £3.79 per person, far below the English regional average of £7.14.
In comparison with other English Core Cities, Nottingham has also historically received less lottery and Arts Council funding per capita, resulting in a shortfall of £6.4m and £18.67 per person.
Furthermore, Nottingham’s per capita annual net expenditure on the arts stands at £4.73, lower than the Core Cities’ average of £12.75.
David Brownlee, chief executive of Data Culture Change, said: “On every metric we examined, arts investment in D2N2 was less per person than the English average. This was also almost universally true when London was excluded. The region is home to an amazing range of funded and unfunded arts organisations. They could be doing so much more to improve life and opportunities in their communities if the region received an equitable share of national and local government and Lottery arts funding.”
Stephanie Sirr, MBE, chair of Nottingham’s Strategic Cultural Partnership, added: “This timely study highlights a pretty dreadful picture of historic and current funding to support arts activities in D2N2. The future is at risk of worsening further with local cuts to all arts funding.
“It’s encouraging to see Mayors of other Combined Authorities not only understanding the value of investing in the arts for their communities but also finding the comparatively small sums required to safeguard their cultural assets.
“We hope the inception of the East Midlands Combined Authority will have a similar impact on the creative lives of our communities.”
